Animated artificial flower

ABSTRACT

An artificial flower device gradually opens a simulated corolla and gradually upwardly extends a surprise gift following an actuation. In one embodiment, the actuation comprises exposing a portion of a stem of the device to a liquid to thereby dissolve a pellet which otherwise impedes actuation. In another embodiment, the actuation comprises pushing a button on the stem to thereby release a latch. In one embodiment, animation activity is driven by the bias force of a resilient spring, the rate of animation activity is controlled by a dashpot, a resilient compensation spring regulates an animation delay time, a plurality of hinge configurations enables the petals of the corolla to open with individual variations of rate and degree, a plunger comprising helical grooves imparts a rotation to the surprise gift during the ascent thereof, and manually sliding a sleeve returns energy to the springs and resets the flower for reuse.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/413,938, filed Nov. 15, 2010, the entire disclosureof which is hereby incorporated by reference herein and should beconsidered a part of this specification. This application is alsorelated to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/561,208, filed Nov. 17, 2006 andtitled “ANIMATED ARTIFICIAL FLOWER,” the entire disclosure of which ishereby incorporated by reference herein and should be considered a partof this specification.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates generally to artificial flowers, and morespecifically to providing an artificial flower device with animationfeatures, including opening the petals thereof and upwardly extending asurprise gift, following either a partial immersion in a liquid or apush of a button.

2. Description of the Related Art

Artificial flowers are commonly used as decorative accessories. Flowers,whether natural or artificial, are commonly given to convey affectionand express personal interest. Artificial flowers which provideanimation can more advantageously capture the attention of an observerand impart greater feelings of delight.

SUMMARY

In view of the circumstances noted above, an aspect of at least one ofthe embodiments disclosed herein is to provide an artificial flowerdevice with animation features, such as opening a petal thereof, and/orupwardly extending a surprise gift from a hidden compartment provided bya closed petal. In some embodiments, animation of the artificial floweris actuated by exposing at least a portion of the stem thereof to aliquid. In some embodiments, animation of the artificial flower isactuated by releasing a latch.

In accordance with one embodiment, an animated artificial flower deviceis provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising a tube;and at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla, thecorolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable opened state,the corolla configured to provide a hidden compartment while in thestable closed state. Upon an exposure of at least a portion of the stemto a liquid, the corolla is actuated to be moved from the stable closedstate toward the stable opened state, thereby exposing the hiddencompartment.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment, the device further comprises a cord, with whichthe corolla can be moved from the stable opened state toward the stableclosed state. In another embodiment, the device further comprises aholder disposed within the corolla to which a surprise object can beattached. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plungermovably disposed within the stem and upwardly extensible relative to thecorolla. In another embodiment, the device further comprises: a shuttle,operably connected to the corolla, whereby the corolla can be movedbetween the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and aplunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to theshuttle. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a dashpotconfigured to control a rate of animation. In another embodiment of thedevice, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable openedstate following an animation delay time. In another embodiment, thedevice further comprises a chamber within the stem configured to receivea dissolvable pellet therein. In another embodiment, the device furthercomprises a shape and proportions customarily associated with a naturallong-stemmed cut flower. In another embodiment of the device, thecorolla is configured to be moved toward the stable opened stategradually. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plungermovably disposed within the stem, wherein a rate of a motion of theplunger is configured to be non-uniform. In another embodiment of thedevice, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to movetoward the stable opened state at differing rates. In another embodimentof the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured tobe opened in the stable opened state to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, an animated artificial flowerdevice is provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising atube; a resilient spring disposed within the stem; at least one petalattached to the stem defining a corolla, the corolla movable between astable closed state and a stable opened state, the corolla biased towardthe stable opened state by the resilient spring, the corolla configuredto provide a hidden compartment while in the stable closed state; and alatch, wherewith the corolla can be held in the stable closed state.Upon a release of the latch, the corolla is actuated to be moved fromthe stable closed state toward the stable opened state, thereby exposingthe hidden compartment.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment, the device further comprises a cord, with whichthe corolla can be moved from the stable opened state toward the stableclosed state. In another embodiment, the device further comprises aholder disposed within the corolla to which a surprise object can beattached. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a plungermovably disposed within the stem and upwardly extensible relative to thecorolla. In another embodiment, the device further comprises: a shuttle,operably connected to the corolla, whereby the corolla can be movedbetween the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and aplunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to theshuttle. In another embodiment, the device further comprises a dashpotconfigured to control a rate of animation. In another embodiment of thedevice, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable openedstate following an animation delay time. In another embodiment, thedevice further comprises a shape and proportions customarily associatedwith a natural long-stemmed cut flower. In another embodiment of thedevice, the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable openedstate gradually. In another embodiment, the device further comprises aplunger movably disposed within the stem, wherein a rate of a motion ofthe plunger is configured to be non-uniform. In another embodiment ofthe device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to movetoward the stable opened state at differing rates. In another embodimentof the device, the corolla comprises at least two petals configured tobe opened in the stable opened state to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, an animated artificial flowerdevice is provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising atube; at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla; aholder disposed within the corolla; a clasp, slidably disposed inrelation to the holder; and a resilient band, configured to provide adownward bias force on the clasp. The holder, the resilient band and theclasp define a presentation platform configured to removably attach asurprise object to the device.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment of the device, the surprise object comprises aring, and the presentation platform is configured to hold the surpriseobject in a substantially upright position. In another embodiment of thedevice, the surprise object is removable from the presentation platformwith a manual pull and rotation thereof, and replaceable to thepresentation platform with a manual rotation and release thereof.

In accordance with another embodiment, an animated artificial flowerdevice is provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising atube; at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla, thecorolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable opened state;and a cord, wherewith the corolla can be moved from the stable openedstate toward the stable closed state. Upon an exposure of at least aportion of the stem to a liquid, the corolla is actuated to be movedfrom the stable closed state toward the stable opened state.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured toprovide a hidden compartment while in the stable closed state, andexpose the hidden compartment while being moved from the stable closedstate toward the stable opened state. In another embodiment, the devicefurther comprises a holder disposed within the corolla to which asurprise object can be attached. In another embodiment, the devicefurther comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem andupwardly extensible relative to the corolla. In another embodiment, thedevice further comprises: a shuttle, operably connected to the corolla,whereby the corolla can be moved between the stable closed state and thestable opened state; and a plunger disposed movably within the stem andin slidable relation to the shuttle. In another embodiment, the devicefurther comprises a dashpot configured to control a rate of animation.In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to bemoved toward the stable opened state following an animation delay time.In another embodiment, the device further comprises a chamber within thestem configured to receive a dissolvable pellet therein. In anotherembodiment, the device further comprises a shape and proportionscustomarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower. Inanother embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to be movedtoward the stable opened state gradually. In another embodiment, thedevice further comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem,wherein a rate of a motion of the plunger is configured to benon-uniform. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla comprisesat least two petals configured to move toward the stable opened state atdiffering rates. In another embodiment of the device, the corollacomprises at least two petals configured to be opened in the stableopened state to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, an animated artificial flowerdevice is provided. The device comprises a stem, the stem comprising atube; a resilient spring disposed within the stem; at least one petalattached to the stem defining a corolla, the corolla movable between astable closed state and a stable opened state, the corolla biased towardthe stable opened state by the resilient spring; a cord, wherewith thecorolla can be moved from the stable opened state toward the stableclosed state; and a latch, wherewith the corolla can be held in thestable closed state. Upon a release of the latch, the corolla isactuated to be moved from the stable closed state toward the stableopened state.

With reference to the device of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured toprovide a hidden compartment while in the stable closed state, andexpose the hidden compartment while being moved from the stable closedstate toward the stable opened state. In another embodiment, the devicefurther comprises a holder disposed within the corolla to which asurprise object can be attached. In another embodiment, the devicefurther comprises a plunger movably disposed within the stem andupwardly extensible relative to the corolla. In another embodiment, thedevice further comprises: a shuttle, operably connected to the corolla,whereby the corolla can be moved between the stable closed state and thestable opened state; and a plunger disposed movably within the stem andin slidable relation to the shuttle. In another embodiment, the devicefurther comprises a dashpot configured to control a rate of animation.In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configured to bemoved toward the stable opened state following an animation delay time.In another embodiment, the device further comprises a shape andproportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cutflower. In another embodiment of the device, the corolla is configuredto be moved toward the stable opened state gradually. In anotherembodiment, the device further comprises a plunger movably disposedwithin the stem, wherein a rate of a motion of the plunger is configuredto be non-uniform. In another embodiment of the device, the corollacomprises at least two petals configured to move toward the stableopened state at differing rates. In another embodiment of the device,the corolla comprises at least two petals configured to be opened in thestable opened state to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for animating anartificial flower device is provided, the device having a stem, the stemcomprising a tube; and at least one petal attached to the stem defininga corolla, the corolla movable between a stable closed state and astable opened state, the corolla configured to provide a hiddencompartment while in the stable closed state. The method comprisesactuating the device by immersing a least a portion of the stem in aliquid; and, in response to said actuation, moving the corolla from thestable closed state toward the stable opened state, thereby exposing thehidden compartment.

With reference to the method of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment, the method comprises moving the corolla from thestable opened state toward the stable closed state by pulling a cord. Inanother embodiment, the method comprises attaching a surprise object toa holder disposed within the corolla. In another embodiment, the methodcomprises upwardly extending, relative to the corolla, a plunger movablydisposed within the stem. In another embodiment, the method comprises:moving a shuttle, the shuttle operably connected to the corolla, therebymoving the corolla between the stable closed state and the stable openedstate; and moving a plunger in relation to the shuttle, the plungerdisposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to theshuttle. In another embodiment, the method comprises controlling a rateof a motion with a dashpot. In another embodiment, the method comprisesmoving the corolla toward the stable opened state following an animationdelay time. In another embodiment, the method comprises inserting adissolvable pellet into a chamber within the stem. In anotherembodiment, the method comprises presenting the device with a shape andproportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cutflower. In another embodiment, the method comprises moving the corollatoward the stable opened state gradually. In another embodiment, themethod comprises varying a rate of a motion of a plunger movablydisposed within the stem. In another embodiment, the method comprisesmoving at least two petals of the corolla toward the stable opened stateat differing rates. In another embodiment, the method comprisespresenting at least two petals of the corolla in the stable opened stateopened to differing degrees.

In accordance with another embodiment, a method for animating anartificial flower device is provided, the device having a stemcomprising a tube; a resilient spring disposed within the stem; at leastone petal attached to the stem defining a corolla, the corolla movablebetween a stable closed state and a stable opened state, the corollabiased toward the stable opened state by the resilient spring, thecorolla configured to provide a hidden compartment while in the stableclosed state; and a latch, wherewith the corolla can be held in thestable closed state. The method comprises actuating the device byreleasing the latch; and, in response to said actuation, moving thecorolla from the stable closed state toward the stable opened state,thereby exposing the hidden compartment.

With reference to the method of the preceding paragraph:

In another embodiment, the method comprises moving the corolla from thestable opened state toward the stable closed state by pulling a cord. Inanother embodiment, the method comprises attaching a surprise object toa holder disposed within the corolla. In another embodiment, the methodcomprises upwardly extending, relative to the corolla, a plunger movablydisposed within the stem. In another embodiment, the method comprises:moving a shuttle, the shuttle operably connected to the corolla, therebymoving the corolla between the stable closed state and the stable openedstate; and moving a plunger in relation to the shuttle, the plungerdisposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to theshuttle. In another embodiment, the method comprises controlling a rateof a motion with a dashpot. In another embodiment, the method comprisesmoving the corolla toward the stable opened state following an animationdelay time. In another embodiment, the method comprises presenting thedevice with a shape and proportions customarily associated with anatural long-stemmed cut flower. In another embodiment, the methodcomprises moving the corolla toward the stable opened state gradually.In another embodiment, the method comprises varying a rate of a motionof a plunger movably disposed within the stem. In another embodiment,the method comprises moving at least two petals of the corolla towardthe stable opened state at differing rates. In another embodiment, themethod comprises presenting at least two petals of the corolla in thestable opened state opened to differing degrees.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate two embodiments of the presentinvention. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples andare not intended to limit the invention. The drawings include thefollowing 58 figures, in which like numerals indicate like parts. Notethat in all full and partial cross-sectional views, the sections aretaken from a plane parallel to the viewing plane common to all frontviews, with the sectioning plane including the vertical center line ofthe device.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of an animated artificial flowerdevice, with a corolla in a closed state and a sleeve in a ready state.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the artificial flower of FIG. 1, with thecorolla in an opened state and the sleeve in the ready state, the flowerin a liquid filled vase.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional front view of the artificial flower of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional front view of the artificial flower, vaseand liquid of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlargement of an upper part 501 of the view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlargement of a middle part 502 of the view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlargement of a lower part 503 of the view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlargement of an upper part 504 of the view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is an enlargement of an upper middle part 505 of the view of FIG.4.

FIG. 10 is an enlargement of a lower middle part 506 of the view of FIG.4.

FIG. 11 is an enlargement of a lower part 507 of the view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 17 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 20 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 21 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 1, with the sleeve in a retracted stateand without a pellet in a chamber.

FIG. 22 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 23 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2.

FIG. 24 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1, with thesleeve in the retracted state and without the pellet in the chamber.

FIG. 25 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 26 is a top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 2, with a clasp engaged.

FIG. 27 is a top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 2, with the clasp disengaged.

FIG. 28 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2, with theclasp engaged.

FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 2, with theclasp disengaged.

FIG. 30 is a front view of an embodiment of an animated artificialflower device, with a corolla in a closed state and a sleeve in a readystate.

FIG. 31 is a front view of the artificial flower of FIG. 30, with thecorolla in an opened state and the sleeve in the ready state.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional front view of the artificial flower of FIG.30.

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional front view of the artificial flower of FIG.31.

FIG. 34 is an enlargement of an upper part 601 of the view of FIG. 32.

FIG. 35 is an enlargement of a middle part 602 of the view of FIG. 32.

FIG. 36 is an enlargement of a lower part 603 of the view of FIG. 32.

FIG. 37 is an enlargement of an upper part 604 of the view of FIG. 33.

FIG. 38 is an enlargement of an upper middle part 605 of the view ofFIG. 33.

FIG. 39 is an enlargement of a lower middle part 606 of the view of FIG.33.

FIG. 40 is an enlargement of a lower part 607 of the view of FIG. 33.

FIG. 41 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 42 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 43 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 44 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 45 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 46 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 47 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 48 is a partial cross-sectional bottom-front-right side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 49 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 50 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 30, with the sleeve in a retracted state.

FIG. 51 is a top-front-left side perspective view of a lower portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 52 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31.

FIG. 53 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30, with thesleeve in the retracted state.

FIG. 54 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of a lower portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 30.

FIG. 55 is a top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 31, with a clasp engaged.

FIG. 56 is a top-front-left side perspective view of an upper portion ofthe artificial flower of FIG. 31, with the clasp disengaged.

FIG. 57 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31, with theclasp engaged.

FIG. 58 is a partial cross-sectional top-front-left side perspectiveview of an upper portion of the artificial flower of FIG. 31, with theclasp disengaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Terminology

Unless otherwise specified and except when preceded by the word“natural,” terms commonly understood to identify parts of a naturalflower, such as “petal,” “corolla,” “stem,” and “receptacle,” are usedherein throughout the specification and appended claims to describecomponent parts of the example embodiments. These terms do notnecessarily suggest a resemblance of such parts of the embodiments tosimilarly named parts of a natural flower and are not limiting. The term“flower” refers to an embodiment in the entirety thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, certain embodiments, though referred toherein throughout the specification and appended claims by the term“flower,” can bear little or no resemblance to a natural flower.Likewise, certain components, though identified herein throughout thespecification and appended claims by a term that also identifies a partof a natural flower, can take other forms or serve other functions. Theinvention is not limited to use in artificial flowers as commonlyunderstood.

The example embodiments in the drawings and illustrations referencedherein, though imparting the general appearance of a natural flower, arenot necessarily drawn to scale, but rather are drawn to enable clearvisualization of the component parts. Natural flowers exist in a greatvariety of types, shapes and proportions. Some have short stocky stems.Some can have asymmetric petals, petals that vary widely in shape, onlyone petal or even petals not readily recognizable as such. Though theterm “corolla” can be used herein to describe a plurality of petals, ina flower having one petal, one petal will constitute a corolla.

The drawings in this specification do not limit the invention to onlythose embodiments that generally resemble the illustrations. Forexample, the embodiments can be enhanced for additional realism orvariety by altering the shape and proportions of the component parts, orby attaching additional simulated petals, sepals, petioles, leaves,nodes, branches, thorns or the like to the simulated stem, perianth orother parts of the embodiments. Such additional components can be addedalone or in combination. The absence or inclusion of some such enhancingfeatures in some of the embodiments herein by drawing or description isillustrative only and not limiting.

Moreover, the invention is not limited to embodiments that are intendedto convey the beauty of natural flowers, or faithfully replicate thenatural appearances, shapes or proportions thereof. An artificial flowercan resemble a natural flower in a general sense without closelyresembling a particular species of natural flower. It is contemplatedthat the various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein can becrafted as works of creative art to appear unlike existing naturalflowers, or can include unnatural cartoonish features and fantasticembellishments.

References are made herein to a “shape and proportions customarilyassociated with a natural long-stemmed cut flower.” Society has longassociated the shape and proportions of a presentable natural flowerwith the desirability thereof. Therefore, an artificial flower thatappears to resemble the shape and proportions of a natural long-stemmedcut flower can be preferable over a flower that does not. Unlessotherwise specified, the shape and proportions customarily associatedwith a natural long-stemmed cut flower shall be defined hereinthroughout the specification and appended claims as comprising primarilytwo generally cylindrical elements, a corolla and a stem, with thecorolla joined to the upper end of the stem, and excluding a basestructure durably attached to the lower end of the stem, such as asimulated flower pot or vase, having an outside diameter substantiallygreater than the diameter of the stem and upon which the flower isconfigured to stand. Furthermore, the ratio of the height of the corollato the diameter thereof can vary from 1:10 to 10:1, the ratio of theheight of the stem to the diameter thereof can vary from 10:1 to 300:1,the ratio of the diameter of the closed corolla to the diameter of thestem can vary from 2:1 to 100:1, and the ratio of the height of theclosed corolla to the height of the stem can vary from 1:2 to 1:100.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms “open” and “close,” when usedherein throughout the specification and appended claims in connectionwith the actions and/or components of the flower, such as the petals andcorolla, in phrases such as “closing the petals,” “opening the petals,”“the flower in a closed state,” “the opened flower,” “to open thecorolla” and “to close the corolla,” indicate a phase in the developmentof animation or a state of the flower. An “opened” flower or corolla ora flower or corolla in an “opened state” generally resembles a maturenatural flower or corolla at the peak of anthesis, the petals projectedoutwardly at or toward their maximum extension. A “closed” flower orcorolla or a flower or corolla in a “closed state” generally resembles anatural flower or corolla prior to the start of anthesis, the petalsdrawn together inwardly at or toward their minimum extension. The openedstate and the closed state can each be stable, meaning the flower canmanifest either the opened state or the closed state indefinitely. Theflower in the closed state can be moved to transition to the openedstate upon an actuating event; otherwise, the flower can remain in theclosed state indefinitely. Thus, the closed state can be understood tomean a stable closed state. The flower in the opened state can be movedto transition to the closed state upon a manual reset event; otherwise,the flower can remain in the open state indefinitely. Thus, the openedstate can be understood to mean a stable opened state. The terminologyincludes the words specifically mentioned above and their derivatives.

Many of the component parts of the example embodiments described hereinare shown in a simplified form to facilitate understanding. During theprocess of manufacturing and assembling embodiments, adhesive materialsand methods individually or in combination, such as glues, epoxies,solvent based adhesives, cables, knots, rivets, nuts, bolts, snap fits,press fits, locking features, screw threads, ultrasonic welding, and thelike, to join multiple subunits of a component part shown or describedas a single, integrally formed unit, can be used. In some cases,adjoining component parts, each shown or described as separate orindependent units, can be manufactured and assembled as one single,integrally formed unit.

Certain terminology is used herein throughout the specification andappended claims to indicate an adherence, link or association betweentwo or more component parts for convenience only and is not limiting.Unless otherwise specified, the words “connect,” “attach,” “bond,”“fasten,” “join,” “anchor,” “affix,” “hold” and “secure,” theirderivatives and words of similar meaning, designate adherence, whetherdurable, transitory, fixed, movable, removable or otherwise. Thisadherence can be accomplished using a variety of techniques, such as theuse of: an adhesive material or method (some examples of which arelisted in the preceding paragraph); and/or a mechanical link between twoor more discrete component parts with or without the intermediate use ofadditional component parts, whether referenced or not; and/or anintrinsic association between two or more sections of a single,integrally formed component part that is one unit; and/or anycombination of the above.

Unless otherwise specified, component parts described and/or labeled asa “line” or a “cord” herein throughout the specification and appendedclaims can be any type of thread, cable, rod or shaft. The line or cordcan comprise, but is not limited to, materials such as stainless steel,aluminum, brass, silk, cotton, nylon, polyester, polyethylene,polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, andthe like. The line or cord can be monofilament or multifilament, rigidor flexible, elastic or unyielding, coarse or fine, plated or unplated,coated or uncoated, uniform or a combination or composite of variousmaterials, and comprise any other properties of a line or cord.

The use of a flat type, helically coiled type, compression type,expansion type, spiral wound or other type of resilient spring in theembodiments herein is not limiting. A specification of a specificresilient spring type shall be understood as one option only and doesnot exclude other options. Other spring types or resilient member typescan be used in alternative positions and configurations to providesimilar functional benefits.

Unless otherwise specified, words such as “right,” “left,” “front,”“rear,” “up,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “radial,” “lateral,” “down,”“lower” and “upper” which designate direction and orientation are usedherein throughout the specification and appended claims to designatedirections and orientation in the drawings to which the reference ismade, or in the referenced embodiments when positioned as suggested bythe drawings and descriptions thereof. For example, the words “vertical”and “horizontal” designate, respectively, a general alignment to theupper/lower direction and a general perpendicularity thereto. The words“inwardly” and “outwardly” designate all directions generally towardsand away from, respectively, the geometric center of the applicableparts or embodiments, and unless otherwise noted, describe vectorsgenerally parallel to a horizontal plane. The terminology includes thewords specifically mentioned above, their derivatives and words ofsimilar meaning.

Unless otherwise specified, the meanings of words which designate ordescribe geometric figures, shapes and structures, such as, “line,”“plane,” “round,” “tube,” “circle,” “square,” “rectangle,” “ellipse,”“cylinder,” “sphere,” “cube,” “torus,” “globe,” “encircle,” “diameter,”“cone,” “radius” and “circumference,” shall include their literalmeaning, as well as figures, shapes and structures that can beimperfect, irregular, asymmetric or otherwise embellished. Thisunderstanding shall apply herein throughout the specification andappended claims to all such words which designate or describe geometricfigures, shapes and structures, their derivatives and words of similarmeaning.

References are made herein throughout the specification and appendedclaims to a “soluble pellet” or “pellet”. Unless otherwise specified,the pellet is a substantially solid or rigid component which, by anexposure to a select liquid, can dissolve, chemically react, effervesce,disintegrate, soften, collapse, break down, or otherwise change from thesolid state or rigid structure thereof to a state or structure ofsubstantially diminished solidity or rigidity.

The pellet can comprise sugar (such as sucrose, dextrose and fructose)and/or other ingredients, such as gelatin, gums (such as acacia),binders (such as lactose, dibasic calcium phosphate, starch,microcrystalline cellulose and modified cellulose), disintegrants (suchas starch, cellulose, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sodium starchglycolate, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulosemethycellulose) and/or thelike. The pellet can comprise soluble salts, soluble paper, paper,soluble plastics (such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrolidone)and/or the like. The pellet can comprise a piece of candy of any fullyor partially soluble formulation. The pellet can comprise combinationsof substances which chemically react when exposed to a select liquid,such as citric acid and sodium bicarbonate, which when exposed to water,can effervesce, forming gas and other byproducts. The pellet can behomogenous or an aggregate of dissimilar materials, or can compriseother physical structures. The pellet can comprise forms such as arolled tube, extruded rod, molded plug, beads, compressed tablets orhollow cylinder, or can comprise other regular or irregular shapes.

The pellet can be formulated to dissolve at any rate. In someembodiments, the pellet can be formulated to substantially lose itssolid state or rigid structure in less than 10 seconds. In otherembodiments, the pellet can be formulated to substantially maintain itssolid state or rigid structure for more than 10 hours. By itsformulation, physical structure and shape, dissolution time of thepellet can be set by design to any value, without limitation, such as0.1 seconds or 10 weeks. In one embodiment, the dissolution time of thepellet can be 3 seconds. In another, it can be 1 minute. In yet another,the dissolution time can be 1 hour. The pellet can be coded by a colorto visually indicate the anticipated dissolution rate thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, the meaning of the term “dissolve” shall beexpanded herein throughout the specification and appended claims toinclude dissolve, chemically react, effervesce, disintegrate, soften,collapse, break down, or otherwise change from a solid state or rigidstructure to a state or structure of substantially diminished solidityor rigidity, and shall be understood in accordance with the specificpellet shape, structure and formulation being contemplated. Thederivatives of the term “dissolve” and similar words, including“solution,” “soluble,” “dissolution” and “dissolvable,” shall receive acomparably expanded understanding.

Unless otherwise specified, the team “solvent” and “select liquid,” orsimply “liquid,” are used herein throughout the specification andappended claims to refer to a fluid in which the pellet beingcontemplated is soluble, or capable of dissolving, chemically reacting,effervescing, disintegrating, softening, collapsing, breaking down, orotherwise being changed from a solid state or a rigid structure to astate or structure substantially lacking solidity or rigidity. The fluidcan comprise water or any solution or mixture thereof. The fluid canalso comprise non-aqueous liquids, such as oils or alcohols, or anycombination thereof. The terminology includes the words specificallymentioned above, their derivatives and words of similar meaning.

References are made herein to a “surprise object” and/or “surprisegift,” or simply “gift”. The terms are used interchangeably. Unlessotherwise specified, the terms “surprise object,” “surprise gift” and“gift,” their derivatives, and words of similar meaning shall beunderstood herein throughout the specification and appended claims to bea tangible article that can be provided by the flower or manuallyassociated to the flower by a user for any intent or purpose. Thearticle can be removable or can be durably attached to the flower, cancomprise a mounting adapter, removable covering, openable container orother enclosure or housing, and is not limited and does not exclude anytype of article, number of articles or combination of articles. Forexample, the article can comprise a doll, figurine, animated fairy, toyanimal, piece of chocolate, candy, photograph, written message, audiblegreeting, greeting card, invitation, airline tickets, coupon, gift card,container of perfume, air freshener gel, car key, house key, watch,engagement ring, pair of earrings, and the like. In certain embodiments,the article, mounting adapter and/or enclosure, independently orinterconnectedly, can comprise an electric battery, switch, and/orelectronic circuit and/or mechanical apparatus, to provide features suchas illumination, sound generation, moving parts, release of a fragrantsubstance, and the like.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms “manual” and “manipulation” areused herein throughout the specification and appended claims to refer toan external interaction with the example embodiments or the componentparts thereof. For example, steps or directions that describe manualhandling or manipulation suggest an application of an external force by,for example, a human hand, but that force can be provided alternativelyor additionally by a tool, an automated machine or otherwise. Theterminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, theirderivatives and words of similar meaning.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “automatic” is used hereinthroughout the specification and appended claims to describe actions andprocesses which occur without a generally concurrent input of amechanical force provided by manual handling or manipulation. A motion,development, change or occurrence is automatic when it proceeds withouta generally concurrent input of manual handling or manipulation having aforce commensurate in magnitude with the force required to perform themotion, development, change or occurrence. A motion, development, changeor occurrence is not automatic if the energy used for the realizationthereof is, in full or in large part, provided by a generally concurrentinput of manual handling or manipulation. However, manual handling ormanipulation can provoke or trigger the actuation of an automaticmotion, development, change or occurrence. A motion, development, changeor occurrence is automatic if the energy used for the realizationthereof is, in full or in large part, drawn from an internal source,such as a battery or resilient spring, which is configured toindefinitely store the energy required to produce the desired motion,development, change or occurrence. The terminology includes the wordspecifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words of similarmeaning.

Unless otherwise specified, the terms “gradual” and “gradually” are usedherein throughout the specification and appended claims to describe aduration of a motion, transition or change. Action or activity can beperceived as gradual or as occurring gradually when the associatedmotion, transition or change takes place slowly or over a substantialperiod of time, rather than quickly or suddenly. Gradual motion orchange can indicate to an observer a controlling or regulating elementto that motion, transition or change, which can be pleasant anddesirable. Conversely, sudden motion, transition or change can indicateto an observer a lack of control or regulation, and can be startling ordisturbing. Motion, transition or change in an artificial flower cangenerally be perceived as controlled or regulated, and thereforegradual, if the duration thereof is greater than about 0.2 s (seconds),and uncontrolled, and therefore sudden, if the duration thereof is lessthan about 0.2 s. This corresponds generally with typical human visualinput to motor output reaction times. Humans can generally regard thoseactions occurring more slowly than reaction time as gradual, and morequickly than reaction time as sudden. Unless otherwise specified,“gradual” and “gradually” shall be understood herein throughout thespecification and appended claims as describing any motion, transitionor change having a duration, from start to finish, greater than 0.2 s.The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, theirderivatives and words of similar meaning.

Unless otherwise specified, terms such as, “place,” “placement,”“expose,” “exposure,” “immersion” and “partial immersion,” are usedinterchangeably herein throughout the specification and appended claimsin connection with terms such as, “container,” “vase,” “water,”“solvent,” “select liquid” and “liquid,” to describe a method ofactuating the flower in a manner resembling the handling that iscustomarily given a natural cut flower, such as a placement of the stemof the flower into a container of a liquid, or equivalently, a placementof the stem of the flower into an empty container into which a liquid issubsequently added, to thereby immerse at least a lower portion thereofin the liquid. The terminology additionally describes alternativemethods of exposing or immersing a least a portion of the stem of theflower in a liquid. Such alternatives include, but are not limited to,exposing at least part of the stem of the flower to a spray, sprinkle,shower, flow, stream or any other manifestation of a liquid, and/or atleast partially immersing the stem of the flower in a cup, vase, pitcheror any other body of a liquid. If so specified, the terminology canexclude an administration of a liquid into the corolla or therethrough.

Unless otherwise specified, terms such as “hidden” and “concealed” areused interchangeably herein throughout the specification and appendedclaims in connection with terms such as “gift” and “compartment” toindicate substantial concealment and shall be understood to includearrangements or configurations that are largely hidden or concealed.

Detailed Description of Selected Example Embodiments

As shown in the accompanying drawings, certain embodiments can provideanimation and the presentation of a surprise gift in an artificialflower device. In one embodiment, a spring driven mechanism actuated byan exposure of a stem to a select liquid can be used to simulate naturalflowering actions at a gradual rate. In another embodiment, thesimulation of natural flowering actions can be actuated by pushing abutton. A surprise gift concealed within a hidden compartment of theflower can gradually ascend and be revealed as the flower opens.

FIGS. 1-29 illustrate an example embodiment of an animated artificialflower device 500.

The flower 500, shown closed in FIGS. 1 and 3, and opened in FIGS. 2 and4, preferably includes a plurality of simulated petals 515, 516 and 517in a plurality of layers that define a corolla 508. In one embodiment,an outer layer comprising 3 of the petals 517 can overlap a middle layercomprising 3 of the petals 516, which can further overlap an inner layercomprising 3 of the petals 515. Other embodiments can comprise a feweror a greater number of petals per layer, variations in the number ofpetals per layer among the layers, and/or a fewer or a greater number oflayers of petals. For example, one embodiment can comprise 4 petals perlayer and 1 layer of petals. Another embodiment can comprise 2 petalsper layer and 12 layers of petals. Another embodiment can comprise 5petals on one layer and 4 petals on another layer. There is nolimitation to the number of petals per layer and layers of petals thatcan be provided by the embodiments disclosed herein.

The flower 500 preferably includes a generally cylindrical stem 510,which can comprise a hollow tube. The corolla 508 can be attached to thestem 510 by a receptacle 509. The stem 510 can be fully straight orcomprise bends or curves. The stem 510 can include an inlet 510 athrough which a select liquid 519 can enter into the stem 510. Theflower 500 can comprise a retractable generally cylindrical sleeve 511to facilitate restoring the opened flower 500 to the closed statewhereby the flower 500 can be used again. The outside diameter of thesleeve 511 can be substantially equal to the outside diameter of thestem 510. An end cap 512 can be durably attached to the lower end of thesleeve 511.

Certain embodiments of the flower 500 can closely resemble the shape andproportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cutflower. In other embodiments, the shape and proportions of the flower500 can vary considerably from those customarily associated with anatural long-stemmed cut flower and are not limited by the invention.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the flower 500 can be placed in a vase 518.The vase 518 can contain the liquid 519. The flower 500 can include, orreceive for inclusion, a surprise gift 513, such as a jeweled ring. Thegift 513 can be secured to a generally cylindrical holder 514.

The flower 500 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5-29.

The closed corolla 508 can be configured to provide a hidden compartment520 wherein the gift 513 can be concealed. The compartment 520 can beexposed and the gift 513 revealed as the corolla 508 opens. The holder514 can be configured to removably hold the gift 513. The gift 513 canbe pressingly held against an upper annulus of the holder 514 under anupper arm 521 a of a clasp 521. The clasp 521 can have a generally “C”shape to thereby° comprise the properties of a hook. The clasp 521 canbe subject to a downwards bias force which can be applied by a resilientelastic band 522. The band 522 can be replaceably anchored around a peg514 d of the holder 514 and threaded through an opening 514 c of theholder 514 and over a lower arm 521 c of the clasp 521. The flower 500can include a generally cylindrical plunger 524. The holder 514 can bedurably attached to the upper end of the plunger 524.

The plunger 524 can be movably disposed within the stem 510 and upwardlyextensible relative to the corolla 508. A vertical motion of the plunger524 can be controlled by a line 523. The line 523 can comprise a knot523 a at the upper end thereof whereby the line 523 can be securelycoupled to the plunger 524. The line 523 can be disposed through apassage 524 b through the general center of the plunger 524. Thediameter of the line 523 can be less than the diameter of the passage524 b so that the passage 524 b can also vent air.

A compensation spring 525, which can be a helically coiled resilientcompression spring, can be slidably disposed around the plunger 524 toprovide a separating bias force between the holder 514 and a generallycylindrical shuttle 526. The shuttle 526 can be slidably disposed aroundthe plunger 524 and within a series of hinge frames 527, 529, 531 andthe receptacle 509.

Each petal 515, 516 and 517 of the flower 500 can be durably attached toan outwardly extended mounting tab of a hinge 528, 530 and 532. Eachhinge 528, 530 and 532 can comprise a pivot 528 a, 530 a and 532 a aboutwhich each hinge 528, 530 and 532 can rotate. Each hinge 528, 530 and532 can comprise a head 528 b, 530 b and 532 b to thereby engage theshuttle 526 via a plurality of sockets 526 a of the shuttle 526.

The hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and the receptacle 509 can comprise a setof clearance spaces to accommodate the hinges 528, 530 and 532 therein.The hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and the receptacle 509 can furthermorecomprise a set of integral bearings to rotatably hold the hinges 528,530 and 532 therein by the pivots 528 a, 530 a and 532 a thereof. Theclearance spaces of the hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and the receptacle509 can limit the range of rotation of each of the hinges 528, 530 and532 and the petals 515, 516 and 517.

A shuttle spring 533, which can be a helically coiled resilientcompression spring, can be slidably disposed around the stem 510 andwithin a pocket 509 a of the receptacle 509. The shuttle spring 533 canprovide a bias force to lift the shuttle 526 to thereby rotate theengaged hinges 528, 530 and 532 and open the petals 515, 516 and 517.

The flower 500 can comprise other types of shuttle springs 533 or theshuttle spring 533 in other positions to provide similar benefits. Forexample, the shuttle spring 533 can be a resilient flat spring, attachedat one end to the upper surface of the upper hinge frame 527 andattached at the other end to a rim protruding outwardly from the upperpart of the shuttle 526, thereby providing a similar bias force to liftthe shuttle 526.

The plunger 524 can comprise a helical groove 524 a. The groove 524 acan comprise variations in the pitch, thread direction, number of turns,width and depth thereof along the course thereof. A pin 534 can bedurably attached to the stem 510 and engage the groove 524 a to therebyfurther control the motion of the plunger 524 within the stem 510. Ameasure of grease 535 can fill the groove 524 a and can also fill a gapbetween the plunger 524 and the stem 510. The grease 535 can be anylubricating fluid and can comprise viscous and thixotropic properties inany degree. The grease 535 can be oil-based, polysiloxane-based, orcomprise another base type. The grease 535 can also comprise otherlubricating fluids, such as petroleum jelly.

The flower 500 can comprise a plunger spring 537, which can be ahelically coiled resilient compression spring slidably disposed withinthe stem 510. An upper washer 536 can be slidably disposed within thestem 510 separating the plunger 524 from the plunger spring 537. Theflower 500 can comprise a seal 539 to substantially seal the spaceswithin the stem 510 separated thereby against a passage of fluids whileproviding minimal resistance to a passage therethough of the line 523. Alower washer 538 can be disposed within the stem 510 to separate theplunger spring 537 from the seal 539. The seal 539 can be any material,such as polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, or a type rubber, suchas polychloroprene or nitrile butadiene, and can be pressingly disposedwithin the stem 510 and around the line 523.

The flower 500 can comprise a guide 540 which can be durably attached tothe stem 510. The flower 500 can include a generally flat clip 541comprising a slot 541 a. The clip 541 can be disposed to slidevertically within the stem 510 and within a flute 540 a of the guide540. The guide 540 can minimize rotation of the clip 541 within the stem510 so that the slot 541 a of the clip 541 can align with the inlet 510a of the stem 510. The guide 540 can comprise an upper bound to agenerally cylindrical chamber 542, which can be configured to receive adissolvable pellet 543. Thus, at the generally lowest vertical positionof the clip 541, the pellet 543 can enter the chamber 542 through boththe inlet 510 a and the slot 541 a. The line 523 at the lower endthereof can be durably attached to the upper part of the clip 541.

A cord 544 can be durably attached at the upper end thereof to the lowerpart of the clip 541. The cord 544 can run through a conduit 545 a of agenerally cylindrical post 545 and can be durably attached at the lowerend thereof to the cap 512. The post 545 can be durably attached to thestem 510 abutting the lower end of the guide 540, thereby providing alower bound of the chamber 542. The sleeve 511 can be slidably disposedover the post 545.

A key 546 can be durably attached to the sleeve 511 and can slide alonga longitudinal track 545 b of the post 545 to limit the extent ofrotational and slidable motion of the sleeve 511. A lock 545 c radiallyperpendicular to the track 545 b can engage the key 546 upon arotational motion of the sleeve 511 while at the generally lowestvertical position thereof to thereby lock the sleeve 511 in a retractedposition (i.e., a “retracted state”) of the sleeve 511. The sleeve 511can be configured to hold therein a portion of the cord 544.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5-29, an operation of the flower 500is described in greater detail.

Unless otherwise noted, the positions and motions of the variouscomponent parts of the flower 500 are described herein throughout thespecification and appended claims in relation to the following componentparts, which can be generally regarded as a static unit: the receptacle509, the stem 510, the hinge frames 527, 529 and 531, the pin 534, thelower washer 538, the seal 539, the guide 540 and the post 545.

The pellet 543 can be manually inserted into the chamber 542, and theredisposed, can impede an ascent of the clip 541, thereby holding theflower 500 in the closed state, which closed state can be stable. In theclosed state of the flower 500, the plunger 524 and components attachedthereto, including the gift 513 and the holder 514, can be at thegenerally lowest vertical position thereof, the compensation spring 525can be in a compressed state, the shuttle 526 can be at the generallylowest vertical position thereof (which generally lowest verticalposition of the shuttle 526 can be configured by a clearance spacewithin the receptacle 509 and/or the upper end of the stem 510 withinthe receptacle 509), the shuttle spring 533 can be in a compressedstate, the plunger spring 537 can be in a compressed state, and the clip541 can be at the generally lowest vertical position thereof.Furthermore, in the closed state of the flower 500 the sleeve 511 can beat the generally uppermost vertical position thereof (i.e., a “readystate” of the sleeve 511) and a portion of the cord 544 can be heldgathered into a space within the sleeve 511 between the lower end of thepost 545 and the upper end of the cap 512. In the closed state, theflower 500 can be ready to be actuated to be moved to the opened state,which actuation can be accomplished by exposing the pellet 543 to theliquid 519.

Upon an exposure to the liquid 519, the pellet 543 can begin todissolve. As the pellet 543 begins to dissolve, the clip 541 can beginto ascend by the bias force of the plunger spring 537 upon the plunger524 applied through the line 523. As the clip 541 can begin to ascend,the position of some of the other components of the flower 500, whichcan be directly and/or indirectly attached thereto, can also begin tochange. For example, the upper end of the cord 544 can begin to bepulled upwardly, taking up the gathered portion of the cord 544 from thespace below the lower end of the post 545, the plunger 524 and thecomponents attached thereto, including the gift 513 and the holder 514,can begin to ascend, the extent of the compression of the plunger spring537 can begin to be reduced, and the extent of the compression of thecompensation spring 525 can begin to be reduced.

However, the downward bias force that can be applied upon the shuttle526 by the compensation spring 525, in both the compressed state and asthe extent of the compression thereof can begin to diminish during theinitial portion of the ascent of the plunger 524 as described above, canbe greater than the upwards bias force applied upon the shuttle 526, atthe generally lowest vertical position thereof, by the shuttle spring533 in the compressed state. Thus, the position of the shuttle 526 andthe extent of the compression of the shuttle spring 533 can remainunchanged during the initial portion of the ascent of the plunger 524,which can occur as the pellet 543 begins to dissolve.

The corolla 508 can remain unchanged in the closed state for aparticular amount of time during and/or following the dissolution of thepellet 543, which time can be determined by factors including the rateof the ascent of the plunger 524, the degree of compression in thecompressed state of the compensation spring 525 and the shuttle spring533, and the relationship of the properties of the springs 525 and 533.Such properties include the rate and free length of the springs 525 and533.

For example, a compensation spring 525 having a rate of 10 g/mm (gramsper millimeter) and a free length of 25 mm can provide a bias force of150 g at a working length of 10 mm in the compressed state. A shuttlespring 533 having a rate of 10 g/mm and a free length of 35 mm canprovide a bias force of 100 g at a working length of 25 mm in thecompressed state. While the bias force of the compensation spring 525 isgreater than or equal to the bias force of the shuttle spring 533, theshuttle 526 can remain at the generally lowest vertical position thereofand the corolla 508 can remain closed.

In the example, at an increase by 5 mm in the extension of the plunger524, the working length of the compensation spring 525 is increased bythe same amount and the bias force thereof is reduced to 100 g. At thispoint, the bias force of the springs 525 and 533 are equal. The biasforce of the springs 525 and 533 can remain substantially equal anddiminish similarly during a portion of the continued ascent of theplunger 524, which continued ascent can be accompanied by an ascent ofthe shuttle 526, which can open the corolla 508. For springs 525 and 533that have a generally equal rate (grams per millimeter), the rate(millimeters per second) of the ascent of the shuttle 526 can be aboutone half of the rate (millimeters per second) of the ascent of theplunger 524. For springs 525 and 533 that have a substantially unequalrate, the rate of the ascent of the shuttle 526 can be substantiallygreater than or less than one half of the rate of the ascent of theplunger 524. Thereby, the rate of the opening of the corolla 508 can befurther regulated in relation to the rate of the ascent of the plunger524.

At a certain point during the ascent of the plunger 524, the ascent ofthe shuttle 536 can come to a stop (as can be determined by theconfigured range of rotation of the hinges 528, 530 and 532 within thehinge frames 527, 529, 531 and the receptacle 509) with the corolla 508fully open. The plunger 524 can continue to ascend, however, which canfurther reduce the bias force of the compensation spring 525 to zero.

The animation activities of some of the components of the flower 500,including the shuttle 526, the hinges 528, 530 and 532, and the petals515, 516 and 517, can be delayed. In the flower 500, the closed state ofthe corolla 508 can remain unchanged during the dissolution of thepellet 543 and for a subsequent particular amount of time. The corolla508 can begin to be opened following an “animation delay time,” whichcan be the time expected to elapse between the time that the flower 500is actuated and the time that the animation activities of the flower 500begin to become readily apparent, including the opening of the corolla508 and the revealing of the gift 513, and can be any amount of time,such as 5 seconds, 3 hours or 2 days.

Following the dissolution of the pellet 543, i.e., following thesubstantial loss of the solid state and/or rigid structure thereof, theclip 541 can ascend towards the uppermost position thereof with nofurther impediment and the cord 544 can be pulled upwardly, taking upthe remaining gathered portion thereof. Moreover, at the ascent of theclip 541, the plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, includingthe holder 514 and the gift 513, can ascend towards the maximumextension thereof by the bias force of the plunger spring 537, thecompensation spring 525 can extend to the free length thereof, theshuttle 526 can ascend by the bias force of the shuttle spring 533(minus the opposing bias force of the compensation spring 525 that, inthe course of the ascent of the plunger 524, can diminish to zero), andthe hinges 528, 530 and 532 can rotate towards the maximum open positionthereof, thereby moving the petals 515, 516 and 517 to the opened state,which opened state can be stable. The ascent of the plunger 524 and thegift 513 can generally coincide with and/or continue beyond the durationof the opening of the corolla 508.

The plunger 524 and the gift 513 can be upwardly extensible relative tothe corolla 508, meaning that the plunger 524 and the gift 513 canascend by any amount to any elevation relative to the corolla 508. Theextent of the ascent of the plunger 524 and the gift 513 can beindependent of and unrelated to any property of a mechanism used to openthe corolla 508, such as the mechanism comprising the hinge frames 527,529, 531, the receptacle 509, the shuttle spring 533, the shuttle 526,the compensation spring 525, the hinges 528, 530 and 532, and the petals515, 516 and 517. Rather, the extent of the ascent of the plunger 524and the gift 513 can be substantially regulated by the length of theplunger 524, the length of the stem 510, the length of the plungerspring 537, and other components of the flower 500. The plunger 524 andthe gift 513 can be extended upwardly within or beyond the openedcorolla 508 by 5 mm, 20 mm, 100 mm or any other distance, withoutlimitation. The plunger 524 and the gift 513 can be extended upwardlywithin or beyond the opened corolla 508 by 0.2 units, 1 unit, 5.2 unitsor any other multiple of a unit of height of the generally cylindricalshape of the closed corolla 508, without limitation.

The stem 510, the plunger 524, the groove 524 a, the pin 534 and thegrease 535 of the flower 500 can be viewed as a system. This system cancomprise a viscous fluid damper, or “dashpot.” The dashpot can regulatethe rate of the animation activities of the flower 500, including theascent of the plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, includingthe holder 514 and the gift 513. As the groove 524 a can comprise ahelical component, the ascent of the plunger 524 and the componentsattached thereto, including the holder 514 and the gift 513, cancomprise a concurrent rotation about the vertical axis thereof. The rateof the ascent of the plunger 524 can be substantially regulated by thefollowing characteristics of the dashpot: the size of the gap betweenthe plunger 524 and the stem 510, the width, depth and pitch of thegroove 524 a, the width and length of the pin 534, the viscosity of thegrease 535, and the magnitude of the bias force of the plunger spring537; any of which can be varied to any degree without limitation.

The width, depth and/or pitch of the groove 524 a can vary along thegroove 524 a such that the plunger 524 can ascend at a variable (i.e.,non-uniform) rate. For example, the plunger 524 can ascend more slowlyprior to the opening of the petals 515, 516 and 517 than during theopening thereof, and can then ascend more quickly following the fullopening of the petals 515, 516 and 517. The duration of the animationdelay time, the duration and uniformity of the rate of the opening ofthe corolla 508, and the duration and uniformity of the rate of theascent of the gift 513 can thus be controlled independently. The rate ofthe motion of the plunger 524 can be non-uniform without limitation.

The flower 500 can comprise other types of dashpots or the dashpot inother positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the dashpotcan comprise a cylindrical tube disposed in the space within the plungerspring 537 and durably attached at the lower end thereof to the lowerwasher 538. Said tube can be filled with a viscous fluid and sealed ateach end, with apertures in said seals to allow a passage therethroughof the line 523. A bead can be durably attached to the line 523 andslidably disposed within said tube. The displacement of said viscousfluid by said bead as the bead is pulled through said tube during theanimation activities of the flower 500 can provide a regulation of therate thereof. Variations in the inside diameter of said tube can providevariations in the rate of the dashpot.

As another example of the other types of dashpots or the dashpot inother positions which the flower 500 can comprise to provide similarbenefits, the dashpot can comprise an application of the grease 535 in agap between the shuttle 526 and the hinge frames 527, 529, 531 andreceptacle 509 and/or an application of the grease 535 in a gap betweenthe pivots 528 a, 530 a and 532 a of the hinges 528, 530 and 532 and theintegral bearings of the hinge frames 527, 529, 531 and receptacle 509in which the pivots 528 a, 530 a and 532 a can rotate. Such a dashpotcan retard the rate of the opening of the corolla 508 independently ofany other factors. The duration of the opening of the corolla 508 can beless than, greater than, or equal to the duration of the ascent of theplunger 524 and gift 513. The corolla 508 can continue to open as theplunger 524 ascends and, additionally, following the full ascentthereof.

The rate of the ascent of the plunger 524 and the components attachedthereto, including the holder 514 and the gift 513, can be controlled bythe characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, and can be anyrate, without limitation. The rate of the ascent of the plunger 524 atany position thereof can be 0.01 mm/s (millimeters per second), 250mm/s, or any other rate. Therefore, the duration of the ascent of theplunger 524 and the components attached thereto, including the holder514 and the gift 513, from start to finish, can be 0.1 seconds, 2 hoursor any other amount of time.

The duration of the animation delay time of the flower 500 can bedependent upon and/or controlled by the rate of the ascent of theplunger 524 during an initial portion of the ascent thereof. Therefore,the duration of the animation delay time of the flower 500 can also beregulated by the characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, andcan be any amount of time, without limitation. The animation delay timeof the flower 500, can be 0.1 seconds, 2 hours or any other amount oftime.

The rate of the opening of the corolla 508 can be dependent upon and/orcontrolled by the rate of the ascent of the plunger 524 during a portionof the ascent thereof. Therefore, the rate of the opening of the corolla508 can also be regulated by the characteristics of the dashpot, asdescribed above, and can be any rate, without limitation. The opening ofthe corolla 508, from start to finish, can take 0.1 seconds, 2 hours orany other amount of time.

Animation activities of the flower 500, including the opening of thecorolla 508 and the lifting of the plunger 524 and the gift 513 fromwithin the compartment 520, can occur following the dissolution of thepellet 543 at a rate unrelated to and/or independent of the rate of thedissolution of the pellet 543. The duration of the transition of thecorolla 508 from the stable closed state to the stable opened state canbe controlled or regulated by the dashpot and can be gradual. Theduration of the ascent of the plunger 524 and/or the gift 513 can becontrolled or regulated by the dashpot and can be gradual.

The distance between the pivot 528 a and the head 528 b of the hinge 528can be substantially unequal to the distance between the pivot 530 a andthe head 530 b of the hinge 530, which can be substantially unequal tothe distance between the pivot 532 a and the head 532 b of the hinge532. In the flower 500, the distance between the pivot 528 a and thehead 528 b of the hinge 528 can be greater than the distance between thepivot 530 a and the head 530 b of the hinge 530, which can be greaterthan the distance between the pivot 532 a and the head 532 b of thehinge 532. As the shuttle 526 ascends, the heads 528 b, 530 b and 532 bcan each be rotated upwardly therewith over a substantially equaldistance. Over that distance, the angle of rotation of the hinge 532 canbe greater than the angle of rotation of the hinge 530, which can begreater than the angle of rotation of the hinge 528. By this differencein the angles of rotation among the hinges 528, 530 and 532 during andfollowing the ascent of the shuttle 526, the petals 515, 516 and 517 canbe opened to differing degrees and, as the duration of the opening ofthe petals 515, 516 and 517 can be substantially equal over saiddiffering degrees, at differing rates. The configurations of thecouplings of at least two petals of the corolla 508 can differ in anyrespect. Thus, each petal 515, 516 and 517 can be independently openedto any degree and at any rate, without limitation.

With reference to FIGS. 20-25, an operation of the sleeve 511 of theflower 500 is shown in greater detail.

The flower 500 can be reset for a substantially immediate reuse bypulling downwardly on the cord 544 to thereby enable a replacement ofthe pellet 543. This can be accomplished manually (following removal ofthe opened flower 500 from the vase 518) by holding the stem 510 of theopened flower 500 in one hand and the sleeve 511 in the ready state inanother hand and subsequently manually pulling downwardly on the sleeve511 relative to the stem 510 until the key 546 generally approaches thelower end of the track 545 b, at which point the sleeve 511 can bemanually rotated about the post 545 whereby the key 546 can be alignedwith the lock 545 c. Manual handing of the sleeve 511 can thus beremoved and the sleeve 511 can remain locked in the retracted state.

Manually pulling downwardly on the sleeve 511 relative to the stem 510of the opened flower 500 can, via the cord 544, downwardly move the clip541 to the generally lowest vertical position thereof, downwardly movethe plunger 524 and the components attached thereto, including theholder 514 and the gift 513, to the generally lowest vertical positionthereof, compress the compensation spring 525, compress the shuttlespring 533, compress the plunger spring 537, downwardly move the shuttle526 to the generally lowest vertical position thereof and close thepetals 515, 516 and 517.

With the sleeve 511 in the retracted state, a new pellet 543 can bemanually inserted through the inlet 510 a and into the chamber 542. Thesleeve 511 can then be manually rotated about the post 545 until the key546 is no longer aligned with the lock 545 c. The sleeve 511 can then bemanually pushed upwardly, thereby returning the sleeve 511 to the readystate, which can cause a portion of the cord 544 to gather into thespace within the sleeve 511 between the lower end of the post 545 andthe upper end of the cap 512. The cap 512 can comprise an outlet 512 awhich can aid in drainage between uses. Thus, the flower 500 can bemanually prepared for reuse with substantial ease and convenience in areset operation having a duration of about 5 seconds. In otherembodiments, the duration of the reset operation can be greater than orless than 5 seconds.

The flower 500 can comprise other types of cords 544 or the cord 544 inother positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the cord 544can comprise an outwardly extended rigid protrusion durably attached tothe clip 541. Said protrusion can be extended radially through asubstantially oblong vertical aperture in the guide 540 and furtherthrough a similar aperture in the stem 510, so that the clip 541 can besimilarly manipulated from outside of the stem 510 without the use ofthe sleeve 511.

The energy required to realize the animation activities of the flower500 can be derived from the manual retraction of the cord 544 via thesleeve 511 and can be stored in the springs 525, 533 and 537 for anindefinite amount of time. Following the exposure of the flower 500 tothe liquid 519, the animation activities of the flower 500, which caninclude the opening of the corolla 508 and the ascent and rotation ofthe gift 513, can proceed automatically, powered by the springs 525, 533and 537 while expending said energy.

In the example embodiment of FIGS. 26-29, a coupling of the gift 513 tothe holder 514 is shown in greater detail.

A knob 521 b of the clasp 521 can slide along a vertical channel 514 bwithin the holder 514. Manually pulling the gift 513 upwardly relativeto the holder 514 can lift the clasp 521 upwardly and slide the knob 521b out of the channel 514 b. A subsequent manual rotation of the gift 513can rotate the clasp 521 and move the knob 521 b onto a ledge 514 awithin the holder 514. The bias force of the band 522 can thus beremoved from the gift 513 upon the upper annulus of the holder 514 andtransferred instead to the knob 521 b upon the ledge 514 a, and the gift513 can then be readily unhooked from under the upper arm 521 a of theclasp 521 and removed from the flower 500.

The gift 513 can be replaceably restored to the flower 500 by simplyreversing the steps given above, as follows: the gift 513 can bemanually hooked under the upper arm 521 a of the clasp 521, rotated withthe clasp 521 so that the knob 521 b aligns with the channel 514 b, anddrawn downwardly upon the manual release thereof by the bias force ofthe band 522 until the gift 513 is pressingly held against the upperannulus of the holder 514.

The holder 514, clasp 521 and band 522 can comprise a presentationplatform configured to removably attach the gift 513 to the flower 500.For a gift 513 that has the shape of a ring, as in a piece of jewelry,the upper arm 521 a of the clasp 521 can hook the ring-shaped gift 513between the points of contact of the ring-shaped gift 513 with the upperannulus of the holder 514 and apply a downward bias force thereon. Thus,the presentation platform can advantageously hold the gift 513 in asubstantially upright position while leaving visible a substantialportion of the gift 513.

The flower 500 can comprise other types of bands 522 or the band 522 inother positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the band 522can comprise a helically coiled resilient extension spring attached toand disposed vertically between the lower arm 521 c of the clasp 521 anda durable securement feature of the holder 514 (similar to the peg 514d) positioned generally towards the center of the lower end of theholder 514. The holder 514 can comprise any height and/or comprise anyadditional feature, such as a tube extended downwardly into anaccommodating recess at the upper end of the plunger 524, to therebyaccommodate the band 522 as a vertically disposed extension spring.

FIGS. 30-58 illustrate an example embodiment of an animated artificialflower device 600.

The flower 600, shown closed in FIGS. 30 and 32, and opened in FIGS. 31and 33, preferably includes a plurality of simulated petals 615, 616 and617 in a plurality of layers that define a corolla 608. In oneembodiment, an outer layer comprising 3 of the petals 617 can overlap amiddle layer comprising 3 of the petals 616, which can further overlapan inner layer comprising 3 of the petals 615. Other embodiments cancomprise a fewer or a greater number of petals per layer, variations inthe number of petals per layer among the layers, and/or a fewer or agreater number of layers of petals. For example, one embodiment cancomprise 4 petals per layer and 1 layer of petals. Another embodimentcan comprise 2 petals per layer and 12 layers of petals. Anotherembodiment can comprise 5 petals on one layer and 4 petals on anotherlayer. There is no limitation to the number of petals per layer andlayers of petals that can be provided by the embodiments disclosedherein.

The flower 600 preferably includes a generally cylindrical stem 610,which can comprise a hollow tube. The corolla 608 can be attached to thestem 610 by a receptacle 609. The stem 610 can be fully straight orcomprise bends or curves. The stem 610 can include a notch 610 a whereina button 641 b can be engaged. The flower 600 can comprise a retractablegenerally cylindrical sleeve 611 to facilitate restoring the openedflower 600 to the closed state whereby the flower 600 can be used again.The outside diameter of the sleeve 611 can be substantially equal to theoutside diameter of the stem 610. An end cap 612 can be durably attachedto the lower end of the sleeve 611.

Certain embodiments of the flower 600 can closely resemble the shape andproportions customarily associated with a natural long-stemmed cutflower. In other embodiments, the shape and proportions of the flower600 can vary considerably from those customarily associated with anatural long-stemmed cut flower and are not limited by the invention.

The flower 600 can include, or receive for inclusion, a surprise gift613, such as a jeweled ring. The gift 613 can be secured to a generallycylindrical holder 614.

The flower 600 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 34-58.

The closed corolla 608 can be configured to provide a hidden compartment620 wherein the gift 613 can be concealed. The compartment 620 can beexposed and the gift 613 revealed as the corolla 608 opens. The holder614 can be configured to removably hold the gift 613. The gift 613 canbe pressingly held against an upper annulus of the holder 614 under anupper arm 621 a of a clasp 621. The clasp 621 can have a generally “C”shape to thereby comprise the properties of a hook. The clasp 621 can besubject to a downwards bias force which can be applied by a resilientelastic band 622. The band 622 can be replaceably anchored around a peg614 d of the holder 614 and threaded through an opening 614 c of theholder 614 and over a lower arm 621 c of the clasp 621. The flower 600can include a generally cylindrical plunger 624. The holder 614 can bedurably attached to the upper end of the plunger 624.

The plunger 624 can be movably disposed within the stem 610 and upwardlyextensible relative to the corolla 608. A vertical motion of the plunger624 can be controlled by a line 623. The line 623 can comprise a knot623 a at the upper end thereof whereby the line 623 can be securelycoupled to the plunger 624. The line 623 can be disposed through apassage 624 b through the general center of the plunger 624. Thediameter of the line 623 can be less than the diameter of the passage624 b so that the passage 624 b can also vent air.

A compensation spring 625, which can be a helically coiled resilientcompression spring, can be slidably disposed around the plunger 624 toprovide a separating bias force between the holder 614 and a generallycylindrical shuttle 626. The shuttle 626 can be slidably disposed aroundthe plunger 624 and within a series of hinge frames 627, 629, 631 andthe receptacle 609.

Each petal 615, 616 and 617 of the flower 600 can be durably attached toan outwardly extended mounting tab of a hinge 628, 630 and 632. Eachhinge 628, 630 and 632 can comprise a pivot 628 a, 630 a and 632 a aboutwhich each hinge 628, 630 and 632 can rotate. Each hinge 628, 630 and632 can comprise a head 628 b, 630 b and 632 b to thereby engage theshuttle 626 via a plurality of sockets 626 a of the shuttle 626.

The hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and the receptacle 609 can comprise a setof clearance spaces to accommodate the hinges 628, 630 and 632 therein.The hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and the receptacle 609 can furthermorecomprise a set of integral bearings to rotatably hold the hinges 628,630 and 632 therein by the pivots 628 a, 630 a and 632 a thereof. Theclearance spaces of the hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and the receptacle609 can limit the range of rotation of each of the hinges 628, 630 and632 and the petals 615, 616 and 617.

A shuttle spring 633, which can be a helically coiled resilientcompression spring, can be slidably disposed around the stem 610 andwithin a pocket 609 a of the receptacle 609. The shuttle spring 633 canprovide a bias force to lift the shuttle 626 to thereby rotate theengaged hinges 628, 630 and 632 and open the petals 615, 616 and 617.

The flower 600 can comprise other types of shuttle springs 633 or theshuttle spring 633 in other positions to provide similar benefits. Forexample, the shuttle spring 633 can be a resilient flat spring, attachedat one end to the upper surface of the upper hinge frame 627 andattached at the other end to a rim protruding outwardly from the upperpart of the shuttle 626, thereby providing a similar bias force to liftthe shuttle 626.

The plunger 624 can comprise a helical groove 624 a. The groove 624 acan comprise variations in the pitch, thread direction, number of turns,width and depth thereof along the course thereof. A pin 634 can bedurably attached to the stem 610 and engage the groove 624 a to therebyfurther control the motion of the plunger 624 within the stem 610. Ameasure of grease 635 can fill the groove 624 a and can also fill a gapbetween the plunger 624 and the stem 610. The grease 635 can be anylubricating fluid and can comprise viscous and thixotropic properties inany degree. The grease 635 can be oil-based, polysiloxane-based, orcomprise another base type. The grease 635 can also comprise otherlubricating fluids, such as petroleum jelly.

The flower 600 can comprise a plunger spring 637, which can be ahelically coiled resilient compression spring slidably disposed withinthe stem 610. An upper washer 636 can be slidably disposed within thestem 610 separating the plunger 624 from the plunger spring 637. Theflower 600 can comprise a seal 639 to substantially seal the spaceswithin the stem 610 separated thereby against a passage of fluids whileproviding minimal resistance to a passage therethough of the line 623. Alower washer 638 can be disposed within the stem 610 to separate theplunger spring 637 from the seal 639. The seal 639 can be any material,such as polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, or a type rubber, suchas polychloroprene or nitrile butadiene, and can be pressingly disposedwithin the stem 610 and around the line 623.

The flower 600 can comprise a guide 640 which can be durably attached tothe stem 610. The flower 600 can include a latch 641 which can comprisethe button 641 b, a generally flat backing member, and a prong 641 a,which prong 641 a can comprise the properties of a resilient flatspring. The latch 641 can be disposed to slide vertically within thestem 610, with said flat backing member of the latch 641 sliding againstthe guide 640. The guide 640 can minimize rotation of the latch 641within the stem 610 so that the button 641 b of the latch 641 can alignwith the notch 610 a of the stem 610. Thus, at the generally lowestvertical position of the latch 641, the button 641 b can engage thenotch 610 a. The line 623 at the lower end thereof can be durablyattached to the upper part of the latch 641.

A cord 644 can be durably attached at the upper end thereof to the lowerpart of the latch 641. The cord 644 can run through a conduit 645 a of agenerally cylindrical post 645 and can be durably attached at the lowerend thereof to the cap 612. The post 645 can be durably attached to thestem 610 abutting the lower end of the guide 640. The sleeve 611 can beslidably disposed over the post 645.

A key 646 can be durably attached to the sleeve 611 and can slide alonga longitudinal track 645 b of the post 645 to limit the extent ofrotational and slidable motion of the sleeve 611. The generally lowestvertical position of the sleeve 611 can comprise a retracted position(i.e., a “retracted state”) of the sleeve 611. The sleeve 611 can beconfigured to hold therein a portion of the cord 644.

With continued reference to FIGS. 34-58, an operation of the flower 600is described in greater detail.

Unless otherwise noted, the positions and motions of the variouscomponent parts of the flower 600 are described herein throughout thespecification and appended claims in relation to the following componentparts, which can be generally regarded as a static unit: the receptacle609, the stem 610, the hinge frames 627, 629 and 631, the pin 634, thelower washer 638, the seal 639, the guide 640 and the post 645.

The button 641 b can be engaged in the notch 610 a, thereby securing thelatch 641 and holding the flower 600 in the closed state, which closedstate can be stable. In the closed state of the flower 600, the plunger624 and components attached thereto, including the gift 613 and theholder 614, can be at the generally lowest vertical position thereof,the compensation spring 625 can be in a compressed state, the shuttle626 can be at the generally lowest vertical position thereof (whichgenerally lowest vertical position of the shuttle 626 can be configuredby a clearance space within the receptacle 609 and/or the upper end ofthe stem 610 within the receptacle 609), the shuttle spring 633 can bein a compressed state, the plunger spring 637 can be in a compressedstate, and the latch 641 can be at the generally lowest verticalposition thereof. Furthermore, in the closed state of the flower 600 thesleeve 611 can be at the generally uppermost vertical position thereof(i.e., a “ready state” of the sleeve 611) and a portion of the cord 644can be held gathered into a space within the sleeve 611 between thelower end of the post 645 and the upper end of the cap 612. In theclosed state, the flower 600 can be ready to be actuated to be moved tothe opened state, which actuation can be accomplished by manuallypushing the button 641 b to thereby release the latch 641.

Upon a manual push on the button 641 b, the prong 641 a can bend and thebutton 641 b can disengage from the notch 610 a. With the button 641 bdisengaged from the notch 610 a, the latch 641 can begin to ascend bythe bias force of the plunger spring 637 upon the plunger 624 appliedthrough the line 623. As the latch 641 can begin to ascend, the positionof some of the other components of the flower 600, which can be directlyand/or indirectly attached thereto, can also begin to change. Forexample, the upper end of the cord 644 can begin to be pulled upwardly,taking up the gathered portion of the cord 644 from the space below thelower end of the post 645, the plunger 624 and the components attachedthereto, including the gift 613 and the holder 614, can begin to ascend,the extent of the compression of the plunger spring 637 can begin to bereduced, and the extent of the compression of the compensation spring625 can begin to be reduced.

However, the downward bias force that can be applied upon the shuttle626 by the compensation spring 625, in both the compressed state and asthe extent of the compression thereof can begin to diminish during theinitial portion of the ascent of the plunger 624 as described above, canbe greater than the upwards bias force applied upon the shuttle 626, atthe generally lowest vertical position thereof, by the shuttle spring633 in the compressed state. Thus, the position of the shuttle 626 andthe extent of the compression of the shuttle spring 633 can remainunchanged during the initial portion of the ascent of the plunger 624,which can occur following the disengagement of the button 641 b from thenotch 610 a.

The corolla 608 can remain unchanged in the closed state while thebutton 641 b can be manually pushed and for a particular amount of timethereafter, which time can be determined by factors including the rateof the ascent of the plunger 624, the degree of compression in thecompressed state of the compensation spring 625 and the shuttle spring633, and the relationship of the properties of the springs 625 and 633.Such properties include the rate and free length of the springs 625 and633.

For example, a compensation spring 625 having a rate of 10 g/mm (gramsper millimeter) and a free length of 25 mm can provide a bias force of150 g at a working length of 10 mm in the compressed state. A shuttlespring 633 having a rate of 10 g/mm and a free length of 35 mm canprovide a bias force of 100 g at a working length of 25 mm in thecompressed state. While the bias force of the compensation spring 625 isgreater than or equal to the bias force of the shuttle spring 633, theshuttle 626 can remain at the generally lowest vertical position thereofand the corolla 608 can remain closed.

In the example, at an increase by 5 mm in the extension of the plunger624, the working length of the compensation spring 625 is increased bythe same amount and the bias force thereof is reduced to 100 g. At thispoint, the bias force of the springs 625 and 633 are equal. The biasforce of the springs 625 and 633 can remain substantially equal anddiminish similarly during a portion of the continued ascent of theplunger 624, which continued ascent can be accompanied by an ascent ofthe shuttle 626, which can open the corolla 608. For springs 625 and 633that have a generally equal rate (grams per millimeter), the rate(millimeters per second) of the ascent of the shuttle 626 can be aboutone half of the rate (millimeters per second) of the ascent of theplunger 624. For springs 625 and 633 that have a substantially unequalrate, the rate of the ascent of the shuttle 626 can be substantiallygreater than or less than one half of the rate of the ascent of theplunger 624. Thereby, the rate of the opening of the corolla 608 can befurther regulated in relation to the rate of the ascent of the plunger624.

At a certain point during the ascent of the plunger 624, the ascent ofthe shuttle 636 can come to a stop (as can be determined by theconfigured range of rotation of the hinges 628, 630 and 632 within thehinge frames 627, 629, 631 and the receptacle 609) with the corolla 608fully open. The plunger 624 can continue to ascend, however, which canfurther reduce the bias force of the compensation spring 625 to zero.

The animation activities of some of the components of the flower 600,including the shuttle 626, the hinges 628, 630 and 632, and the petals615, 616 and 617, can be delayed. In the flower 600, the closed state ofthe corolla 608 can remain unchanged while the button 641 b is pushedand for a subsequent particular amount of time. The corolla 608 canbegin to be opened following an “animation delay time,” which can be thetime expected to elapse between the time that the flower 600 is actuatedand the time that the animation activities of the flower 600 begin tobecome readily apparent, including the opening of the corolla 608 andthe revealing of the gift 613, and can be any amount of time, such as 5seconds, 3 hours or 2 days.

Following the release of the latch 641 by the push of the button 641 b,the latch 641 can ascend towards the uppermost position thereof and thecord 644 can be pulled upwardly, taking up the remaining gatheredportion thereof. Moreover, at the ascent of the latch 641, the plunger624 and the components attached thereto, including the holder 614 andthe gift 613, can ascend towards the maximum extension thereof by thebias force of the plunger spring 637, the compensation spring 625 canextend to the free length thereof, the shuttle 626 can ascend by thebias force of the shuttle spring 633 (minus the opposing bias force ofthe compensation spring 625 that, in the course of the ascent of theplunger 624, can diminish to zero), and the hinges 628, 630 and 632 canrotate towards the maximum open position thereof, thereby moving thepetals 615, 616 and 617 to the opened state, which opened state can bestable. The ascent of the plunger 624 and the gift 613 can generallycoincide with and/or continue beyond the duration of the opening of thecorolla 608.

The plunger 624 and the gift 613 can be upwardly extensible relative tothe corolla 608, meaning that the plunger 624 and the gift 613 canascend by any amount to any elevation relative to the corolla 608. Theextent of the ascent of the plunger 624 and the gift 613 can beindependent of and unrelated to any property of a mechanism used to openthe corolla 608, such as the mechanism comprising the hinge frames 627,629, 631, the receptacle 609, the shuttle spring 633, the shuttle 626,the compensation spring 625, the hinges 628, 630 and 632, and the petals615, 616 and 617. Rather, the extent of the ascent of the plunger 624and the gift 613 can be substantially regulated by the length of theplunger 624, the length of the stem 610, the length of the plungerspring 637, and other components of the flower 600. The plunger 524 andthe gift 613 can be extended upwardly within or beyond the openedcorolla 608 by 5 mm, 20 mm, 100 mm or any other distance, withoutlimitation. The plunger 524 and the gift 613 can be extended upwardlywithin or beyond the opened corolla 608 by 0.2 units, 1 unit, 5.2 unitsor any other multiple of a unit of height of the generally cylindricalshape of the closed corolla 608, without limitation.

The stem 610, the plunger 624, the groove 624 a, the pin 634 and thegrease 635 of the flower 600 can be viewed as a system. This system cancomprise a viscous fluid damper, or “dashpot.” The dashpot can regulatethe rate of the animation activities of the flower 600, including theascent of the plunger 624 and the components attached thereto, includingthe holder 614 and the gift 613. As the groove 624 a can comprise ahelical component, the ascent of the plunger 624 and the componentsattached thereto, including the holder 614 and the gift 613, cancomprise a concurrent rotation about the vertical axis thereof. The rateof the ascent of the plunger 624 can be substantially regulated by thefollowing characteristics of the dashpot: the size of the gap betweenthe plunger 624 and the stem 610, the width, depth and pitch of thegroove 624 a, the width and length of the pin 634, the viscosity of thegrease 635, and the magnitude of the bias force of the plunger spring637; any of which can be varied to any degree without limitation.

The width, depth and/or pitch of the groove 624 a can vary along thegroove 624 a such that the plunger 624 can ascend at a variable (i.e.,non-uniform) rate. For example, the plunger 624 can ascend more slowlyprior to the opening of the petals 615, 616 and 617 than during theopening thereof, and can then ascend more quickly following the fullopening of the petals 615, 616 and 617. The duration of the animationdelay time, the duration and uniformity of the rate of the opening ofthe corolla 608, and the duration and uniformity of the rate of theascent of the gift 613 can thus be controlled independently. The rate ofthe motion of the plunger 624 during the course thereof can benon-uniform without limitation.

The flower 600 can comprise other types of dashpots or the dashpot inother positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the dashpotcan comprise a cylindrical tube disposed in the space within the plungerspring 637 and durably attached at the lower end thereof to the lowerwasher 638. Said tube can be filled with a fluid and sealed at each end,with apertures in said seals to allow a passage therethrough of the line623. A bead can be durably attached to the line 623 and slidablydisposed within said tube. The displacement of said fluid by said beadas the bead is pulled through said tube during the animation activitiesof the flower 600 can provide a regulation of the rate thereof.Variations in the inside diameter of said tube can provide variations inthe rate of the dashpot.

As another example of the other types of dashpots or the dashpot inother positions which the flower 600 can comprise to provide similarbenefits, the dashpot can comprise an application of the grease 635 in agap between the shuttle 626 and the hinge frames 627, 629, 631 andreceptacle 609 and/or an application of the grease 635 in a gap betweenthe pivots 628 a, 630 a and 632 a of the hinges 628, 630 and 632 and theintegral bearings of the hinge frames 627, 629, 631 and receptacle 609in which the pivots 628 a, 630 a and 632 a can rotate. Such a dashpotcan retard the rate of the opening of the corolla 608 independently ofany other factors. The duration of the opening of the corolla 608 can beless than, greater than, or equal to the duration of the ascent of theplunger 624 and gift 613. The corolla 608 can continue to open as theplunger 624 ascends and, additionally, following the full ascentthereof.

The rate of the ascent of the plunger 624 and the components attachedthereto, including the holder 614 and the gift 613, can be controlled bythe characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, and can be anyrate, without limitation. The rate of the ascent of the plunger 624 atany position thereof can be 0.01 mm/s (millimeters per second), 250mm/s, or any other rate. Therefore, the duration of the ascent of theplunger 624 and the components attached thereto, including the holder614 and the gift 613, from start to finish, can be 0.1 seconds, 2 hoursor any other amount of time.

The duration of the animation delay time of the flower 600 can bedependent upon and/or controlled by the rate of the ascent of theplunger 624 during an initial portion of the ascent thereof. Therefore,the duration of the animation delay time of the flower 600 can also beregulated by the characteristics of the dashpot, as described above, andcan be any amount of time, without limitation. The animation delay timeof the flower 600, can be 0.1 seconds, 2 hours or any other amount oftime.

The rate of the opening of the corolla 608 can be dependent upon and/orcontrolled by the rate of the ascent of the plunger 624 during a portionof the ascent thereof. Therefore, the rate of the opening of the corolla608 can also be regulated by the characteristics of the dashpot, asdescribed above, and can be any rate, without limitation. The opening ofthe corolla 608, from start to finish, can take 0.1 seconds, 2 hours orany other amount of time.

Animation activities of the flower 600, including the opening of thecorolla 608 and the lifting of the plunger 524 and the gift 613 fromwithin the compartment 620, can occur following the push of the button641 b at a rate unrelated to and/or independent of the rate of the pushof the button 641 b. The duration of the transition of the corolla 608from the stable closed state to the stable opened state can becontrolled or regulated by the dashpot and can be gradual. The durationof the ascent of the plunger 624 and/or the gift 613 can be controlledor regulated by the dashpot and can be gradual.

The distance between the pivot 628 a and the head 628 b of the hinge 628can be substantially unequal to the distance between the pivot 630 a andthe head 630 b of the hinge 630, which can be substantially unequal tothe distance between the pivot 632 a and the head 632 b of the hinge632. In the flower 600, the distance between the pivot 628 a and thehead 628 b of the hinge 628 can be greater than the distance between thepivot 630 a and the head 630 b of the hinge 630, which can be greaterthan the distance between the pivot 632 a and the head 632 b of thehinge 632. As the shuttle 626 ascends, the heads 628 b, 630 b and 632 bcan each be rotated upwardly therewith over a substantially equaldistance. Over that distance, the angle of rotation of the hinge 632 canbe greater than the angle of rotation of the hinge 630, which can begreater than the angle of rotation of the hinge 628. By this differencein the angles of rotation among the hinges 628, 630 and 632 during andfollowing the ascent of the shuttle 626, the petals 615, 616 and 617 canbe opened to differing degrees and, as the duration of the opening ofthe petals 615, 616 and 617 can be substantially equal over saiddiffering degrees, at differing rates. The configurations of thecouplings of at least two petals of the corolla 608 can differ in anyrespect. Thus, each petal 615, 616 and 617 can be independently openedto any degree and at any rate, without limitation.

With reference to FIGS. 49-54, an operation of the sleeve 611 of theflower 600 is shown in greater detail.

The flower 600 can be reset for a substantially immediate reuse bypulling downwardly on the cord 644 to thereby reset the latch 641. Thiscan be accomplished manually by holding the stem 610 of the openedflower 600 in one hand and the sleeve 611 in the ready state in anotherhand and subsequently manually pulling downwardly on the sleeve 611relative to the stem 610 to move the sleeve to the retracted state,whereby the button 641 b can engage the notch 610 a.

Manually pulling downwardly on the sleeve 611 relative to the stem 610of the opened flower 600 can, via the cord 644, downwardly move thelatch 641 to the generally lowest vertical position thereof, downwardlymove the plunger 624 and the components attached thereto, including theholder 614 and the gift 613, to the generally lowest vertical positionthereof, compress the compensation spring 625, compress the shuttlespring 633, compress the plunger spring 637, downwardly move the shuttle626 to the generally lowest vertical position thereof and close thepetals 615, 616 and 617.

Following the engagement of the button 641 b with the notch 610 a, thesleeve 611 can be manually pushed upwardly, thereby returning the sleeve611 to the ready state, which can cause a portion of the cord 644 togather into the space within the sleeve 611 between the lower end of thepost 645 and the upper end of the cap 612. Thus, the flower 600 can bemanually prepared for reuse with substantial ease and convenience in areset operation having a duration of about 5 seconds. In otherembodiments, the duration of the reset operation can be greater than orless than 5 seconds.

The flower 600 can comprise other types of cords 644 or the cord 644 inother positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the cord 644can comprise an outwardly extended rigid protrusion durably attached tothe latch 641. Said protrusion can be extended radially through asubstantially oblong vertical aperture in the guide 640 and furtherthrough a similar aperture in the stem 610, so that the latch 641 can besimilarly manipulated from outside of the stem 610 without the use ofthe sleeve 611.

The energy required to realize the animation activities of the flower600 can be derived from the manual retraction of the cord 644 via thesleeve 611 and can be stored in the springs 625, 633 and 637 for anindefinite amount of time. Following the release of the latch 641, theanimation activities of the flower 600, which can include the opening ofthe corolla 608 and the ascent and rotation of the gift 613, can proceedautomatically, powered by the springs 625, 633 and 637 while expendingsaid energy.

In the example embodiment of FIGS. 55-58, a coupling of the gift 613 tothe holder 614 is shown in greater detail.

A knob 621 b of the clasp 621 can slide along a vertical channel 614 bwithin the holder 614. Manually pulling the gift 613 upwardly relativeto the holder 614 can lift the clasp 621 upwardly and slide the knob 621b out of the channel 614 b. A subsequent manual rotation of the gift 613can rotate the clasp 621 and move the knob 621 b onto a ledge 614 awithin the holder 614. The bias force of the band 622 can thus beremoved from the gift 613 upon the upper annulus of the holder 614 andtransferred instead to the knob 621 b upon the ledge 614 a, and the gift613 can then be readily unhooked from under the upper arm 621 a of theclasp 621 and removed from the flower 600.

The gift 613 can be replaceably restored to the flower 600 by simplyreversing the steps given above, as follows: the gift 613 can bemanually hooked under the upper arm 621 a of the clasp 621, rotated withthe clasp 621 so that the knob 621 b aligns with the channel 614 b, anddrawn downwardly upon the manual release thereof by the bias force ofthe band 622 until the gift 613 is pressingly held against the upperannulus of the holder 614.

The holder 614, clasp 621 and band 622 can comprise a presentationplatform configured to removably attach the gift 613 to the flower 600.For a gift 613 that has the shape of a ring, as in a piece of jewelry,the upper arm 621 a of the clasp 621 can hook the ring-shaped gift 613between the points of contact of the ring-shaped gift 613 with the upperannulus of the holder 614 and apply a downward bias force thereon. Thus,the presentation platform can advantageously hold the gift 613 in asubstantially upright position while leaving visible a substantialportion of the gift 613.

The flower 600 can comprise other types of bands 622 or the band 622 inother positions to provide similar benefits. For example, the band 622can comprise a helically coiled resilient extension spring attached toand disposed vertically between the lower arm 621 c of the clasp 621 anda durable securement feature of the holder 614 (similar to the peg 614d) positioned generally towards the center of the lower end of theholder 614. The holder 614 can comprise any height and/or comprise anyadditional feature, such as a tube extended downwardly into anaccommodating recess at the upper end of the plunger 624, to therebyaccommodate the band 622 as a vertically disposed extension spring.

CONCLUSION

While the foregoing detailed description discloses several embodimentsof the present invention, it should be understood that this disclosureis illustrative only and is not limiting of the present invention. Itshould be appreciated that the specific configurations and operationsdisclosed can differ from those described above, and that the methodsdescribed herein can be used in contexts other than artificial flowers.

Although these inventions have been disclosed in the context of certainpreferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the present inventions extend beyond thespecifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodimentsand/or uses of the inventions and obvious modifications and equivalentsthereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the inventionshave been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which arewithin the scope of the inventions, will be readily apparent to those ofskill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplatedthat various combinations or subcombinations of the specific featuresand aspects of the embodiments can be made and still fall within thescope of one or more of the inventions. For example, steps of themethods disclosed herein can be performed in an order other than thatdisclosed in the illustrated embodiments, and additional, fewer, ordifferent steps may be performed and still fall within the scope of theinventions. Accordingly, it should be understood that various featuresand aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with orsubstituted for one another in order to form varying modes of thedisclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the presentinventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particulardisclosed embodiments described above.

1. An animated artificial flower device, comprising: a stem comprising atube; and at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla,the corolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable openedstate, the corolla configured to provide a hidden compartment while inthe stable closed state; whereby, upon an exposure of at least a portionof the stem to a liquid, the corolla is actuated to be moved from thestable closed state toward the stable opened state, thereby exposing thehidden compartment.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cord,with which the corolla can be moved from the stable opened state towardthe stable closed state.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising aholder disposed within the corolla to which a surprise object can beattached.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a plunger movablydisposed within the stem and upwardly extensible relative to thecorolla.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising: a shuttle,operably connected to the corolla, whereby the corolla can be movedbetween the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and aplunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to theshuttle.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a dashpotconfigured to control a rate of animation.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable openedstate following an animation delay time.
 8. The device of claim 1,further comprising a chamber within the stem configured to receive adissolvable pellet therein.
 9. The device of claim 1, further comprisinga shape and proportions customarily associated with a naturallong-stemmed cut flower.
 10. An animated artificial flower device,comprising: a stem comprising a tube; a resilient spring disposed withinthe stem; at least one petal attached to the stem defining a corolla,the corolla movable between a stable closed state and a stable openedstate, the corolla biased toward the stable opened state by theresilient spring, the corolla configured to provide a hidden compartmentwhile in the stable closed state; and a latch, wherewith the corolla canbe held in the stable closed state; whereby, upon a release of thelatch, the corolla is actuated to be moved from the stable closed statetoward the stable opened state, thereby exposing the hidden compartment.11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a cord, with which thecorolla can be moved from the stable opened state toward the stableclosed state.
 12. The device of claim 10, further comprising a holderdisposed within the corolla to which a surprise object can be attached.13. The device of claim 10, further comprising a plunger movablydisposed within the stem and upwardly extensible relative to thecorolla.
 14. The device of claim 10, further comprising: a shuttle,operably connected to the corolla, whereby the corolla can be movedbetween the stable closed state and the stable opened state; and aplunger disposed movably within the stem and in slidable relation to theshuttle.
 15. The device of claim 10, further comprising a dashpotconfigured to control a rate of animation.
 16. The device of claim 10,wherein the corolla is configured to be moved toward the stable openedstate following an animation delay time.
 17. The device of claim 10,further comprising a shape and proportions customarily associated with anatural long-stemmed cut flower.
 18. An animated artificial flowerdevice, comprising: a stem comprising a tube; at least one petalattached to the stem defining a corolla; a holder disposed within thecorolla; a clasp, slidably disposed in relation to the holder; and aresilient band, configured to provide a downward bias force on theclasp; wherein, the holder, the resilient band and the clasp define apresentation platform configured to removably attach a surprise objectto the device.
 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the surprise objectcomprises a ring, and the presentation platform is configured to holdthe surprise object in a substantially upright position.
 20. The deviceof claim 18, wherein the surprise object is removable from thepresentation platform with a manual pull and rotation thereof, andreplaceable to the presentation platform with a manual rotation andrelease thereof.